India, April 18 -- An American man who devoted 15 years of his life to studying martial arts and Taoism on China's sacred Wudang Mountain has been granted foreign permanent residency, according to a report by the South China Morning Post.

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The recipient, 34-year-old Jake Pinnick from Kewanee, Illinois, arrived in China in 2010 at the age of 20 in pursuit of his kung fu dream. His commitment has now been rewarded with a coveted Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card-commonly known as the "five-star card"-a landmark recognition for foreigners in China.

Pinnick's achievement has won widespread praise, including a heartfelt post from China's ambas...